Bush's Ride - Cadillac DTS Presidential Limousine

[BoCo]

2006 Cadillac DTS Presidential Limousine










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(from Cadillac Press Release) This week, a jet-black, state-of-the-art Cadillac DTS limousine will roll through the nation's capital during the Presidential Inaugural Parade revealing publicly for the first time the new design direction for the 2006 Cadillac DTS production model.

Similar to the new DTS, the limousine makes a bold styling statement by incorporating Cadillac's contemporary design cues to the front and rear portions of the vehicle. Redesigned front and rear fascias integrate Cadillac's signature egg-crate grille with center-mounted wreath and crest badge, jewel-like vertically oriented high-intensity xenon headlamps and state-of-the-art LED tail lamps.

George W. Bush, the President of the United States of America will be the first to travel in the new Cadillac DTS limousine during the parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue on Thursday, Jan. 20. The sight of the president waving from a Cadillac has become an American tradition.

"General Motors and Cadillac are proud to write this latest chapter in American automotive history with the introduction of the DTS presidential limousine," said General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner. "We are pleased that our historic relationship with the U.S. government and chief executive office has continued through the years."

With a new design and unique construction under the skin, the new Cadillac DTS limousine is handcrafted and dressed in a jet-black clearcoat finish. The vehicle is a considerably longer, wider and taller version of the production model that becomes available later this year. To maintain national security, the limousines are equipped with state-of-the-art protection and communication systems.

The vehicle interior boasts six-passenger seating with comfort and visibility for all occupants. A rear seat executive package features a concealed, foldaway desktop that can be deployed when conducting affairs of state. The rear seats have an adjustable reclining feature along with the adaptive seat system, which senses the position of the occupant in the seat and automatically adjusts the cushion for added comfort. Moreover, rear seat passengers can enjoy their own premium sound system complete with a 10-disc CD changer. Wood accents, rich blue leather and cloth complete the executive interior.

An embroidered presidential seal is positioned in the center of the rear seat back panel, as well as on each rear door trim panel. Presidential seals are also affixed to the exterior rear doors. The U.S. flag is placed on the right front fender, and the presidential standard is located on the left front fender when the president travels in the vehicle. Flush-mounted High Intensity Discharged (HID) spotlights illuminate the flags at night.

The 2006 Cadillac DTS production model is set to make its first public appearance at the Chicago Auto Show in early February.

The DTS marks the ninth new vehicle introduced into the Cadillac portfolio since 2001 and aligns with Cadillac's alpha naming strategy established by the CTS, SRX, XLR and STS vehicles. Evolving from three models - DeVille, DHS and DTS - with exterior and interior differentiation, the DTS will incorporate a single-model strategy with one exterior and various option packages.

From its Cadillac-signature styling to its power and refined ride characteristics, the DTS is a product of unwavering attention to detail which builds on the strengths and appeal of the Cadillac brand.

The DTS will be built at the award winning Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center in Detroit, Michigan and is expected to go on sale in the third quarter of 2005.


History
"It is a great honor for Cadillac and General Motors to be associated with the highest office of the United States," says Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor. "In fact, Cadillac has been building limousines and special vehicles for U.S. presidents, diplomats, ambassadors and foreign dignitaries since the early 1900s."

One of the first chief executives to ride in a Cadillac was President Woodrow Wilson, who rode through the streets of Boston during a World War I victory parade. A lavish 1928 Cadillac town car was used extensively throughout the Coolidge Administration.

In 1938, two Cadillac convertibles dubbed the "Queen Mary" and "Queen Elizabeth" were delivered to the U.S. Government. Named after the great ocean liners of the time, the 211/2 feet, 7,660 pound vehicles were equipped with a full ammunition arsenal, two way radios, and heavy duty generators. Durable and reliable, the two "Queens" served Presidents Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower.

President Eisenhower, who was known as a "car buff," had ridden in one of the first Eldorados during the1953 Inauguration Day Parade. The vehicle was unique as it had the first wrap around windshield, which quickly became a standard in domestic and foreign automobiles.

In 1956, the Queen Mary II and Queen Elizabeth II convertibles replaced the original series. The vehicles were 21 feet long and weighed 7,000 pounds. Like their predecessors, these vehicles were fully armored with state-of-the art communications at that time. Moreover, the vehicles were fitted with narrow rims inside the tire in case the tires were shot out. The Queen Mary II and Queen Elizabeth II served not only President Eisenhower, but also Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Both vehicles were retired in 1968.

The Reagan administration was delivered a 1983 Cadillac Fleetwood limousine while a Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham - Presidential Series was delivered to the Clinton Administration in 1993. Unlike previous models, the Presidential Brougham was designed, developed and manufactured totally within General Motors. Moreover, the vehicle was designed to provide unquestionable protection. Minimizing exposure to external threats, no sunroof or running boards were installed on the vehicle.

Currently, the 1983 Cadillac Fleetwood limousine resides at the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley, Calif. while the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham is located at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Ark.

The predecessor to the current limousine was the 2001 Cadillac DeVille limousine. It was the first Cadillac to be adorned with the division's current wreath and crest emblem. The vehicle is still in service today.

[Coppertop]

Well at least it is not an Escalade with some 26" rims. Actually, that'd be kinda funny.

[merkerguitars]

I love presidential limo, gotta love how they design them to survive pretty much any threat possible, too bad when its out of service the public will never see it in a museum.

[shakran]

Originally Posted by merkerguitars

I love presidential limo, gotta love how they design them to survive pretty much any threat possible, too bad when its out of service the public will never see it in a museum.

Why not? Clinton's is already in one. I'm sure the '03 and '06 ones will be in one when they're retired.

[merkerguitars]

It has do with any limo's made past 1993 I believe. The secret service gets to keep any newer limos for training and explosives testing.

[TopRamen66]

It looks too boring. I mean, this guy is the leader of America and he's NOT riding on 22s?!

[TM875]

I hate Cadillacs and I REALLY hate Bush, so I guess they go together. Makes me proud to know that our tax dollars are going to a million dollar vehicle so that the big boy can ride in comfort. Goes well with the lobster and quail dinners.

[God of Thunder]

Originally Posted by merkerguitars

It has do with any limo's made past 1993 I believe. The secret service gets to keep any newer limos for training and explosives testing.

That's what I have heard as well. All of the ones up to the 93 model, including the one Kennedy was shot in, are on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. It's a pretty neat display.

[kaiho]

Why are the front and back windows so ugly looking. Bullet proofing maybe?

[Coppertop]

More like RPG-proofing.

[irseg]

Originally Posted by TM875

I hate Cadillacs and I REALLY hate Bush, so I guess they go together. Makes me proud to know that our tax dollars are going to a million dollar vehicle so that the big boy can ride in comfort. Goes well with the lobster and quail dinners.

Uhh, every president in the history of the nation has had lavish transportation and meals. What the hell is the leader of the world's sole remaining superpower supposed to ride in, a '92 Tercel? I don't like Bush either but criticizing him for being treated the same as every other president is kind of dumb.

[todd]

$ $ $ $ $ $

[WS6_KID]

Originally Posted by Coppertop

Well at least it is not an Escalade with some 26" rims. Actually, that'd be kinda funny.

Thats actually what I was hoping for when I read the title. It would be great to see Bush waiving from inside an Escalade with spinners

[Wingless]

The effecct would be the best with a slammed Hummer H2 on spinners. Dopest President Ever, he would be.

[RaDiAn]

Looks like a nice ride...where is the rated 1/4 times, HP ,torque ratings??

[merkerguitars]

Originally Posted by RaDiAn

Looks like a nice ride...where is the rated 1/4 times, HP ,torque ratings??

I bet that thing is pretty quick and has lots of hp and torque, due to it probably weighing so much cause of the bomb proofing.

[billege]

That thing looks like a freakin' tank. The pillars give some sense of how thick the windows are. That fucker can proly withstand a missle hit. Awsome car there. Certainly a credit to it's builders.

Also, I'd have to agree that the president should not be driving himself around in a Aveo. I don't beleive the leader of our nation should be pimpin exactly what his people drive. The trick is remembering it's not about the man, it's about the position.

[splck]

it's got a nice paint job and it's cool in the personal protection department, but that's about all I can say in the positive.
It's rather fugly IMO.

[irseg]

Originally Posted by RaDiAn

Looks like a nice ride...where is the rated 1/4 times, HP ,torque ratings??

From what I've heard those limos actually do have some degree of acceleration and handling ability because they need to be able to take evasive action. Because you never know when you'll be chased by Libyans with RPGs in a VW Bus!

The straight-on picture of the rear end show what appear to be leaf springs in the back, which would indicate it's actually built on a truck chassis (not surprising given the armor plating). In that case I'd guess it has a worked-over 454 putting out buttloads of torque, and does 0-60 in around 12 seconds. The exact specs of the armor plating, performance, etc. are classified though, so there's really no way most of us will ever know.

[1slOwCD8]

A little off subject, but saw this and thought it was interesting to see what world leaders were are rollin in.

[TM875]

Originally Posted by irseg

What the hell is the leader of the world's sole remaining superpower supposed to ride in, a '92 Tercel?

To me, a really classy move for the president to make would be to ride in just a plain black, armoured Crown Vic. Something understated, something that doesn't cost $400 grand, and something that doesn't yell "hey, I can get anything in the free world that I want". The presiden't car should not be anything more than he needs - something moderately comfortable with lots of protection.

[he_haha]

I'm guessing that an armoured Crown Vic is still gonna cost $400 Gs.

[Nimisys]

exactly. in terms of cadillacs lineup the DTS is actually not the pricey big boy on the block. its just that the amount of armoring that thing has is what is contributing to its cost.

[irseg]

Originally Posted by TM875

To me, a really classy move for the president to make would be to ride in just a plain black, armoured Crown Vic. Something understated, something that doesn't cost $400 grand, and something that doesn't yell "hey, I can get anything in the free world that I want". The presiden't car should not be anything more than he needs - something moderately comfortable with lots of protection.

Like everyone else said, the cost isn't because it's a Cadillac--it's the armor plating, modified chassis necessary to support it, more powerful drivetrain to haul all that weight around, and most significantly the fact that it's a one-off car that is not mass produced. It likely shares nothing whatsoever in common with the civilian DTS aside from the Cadillac badges.

And the same would go for any car that has to carry that much armor. If you made a custom armored car based on a Honda Civic, the cost difference between that and the Caddy would in all likelihood be negligible.